U.S. patent number 10,418,791 [Application Number 15/705,066] was granted by the patent office on 2019-09-17 for mount for access point.
The grantee listed for this patent is Bjorn Jensen. Invention is credited to Bjorn Jensen.
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United States Patent |
10,418,791 |
Jensen |
September 17, 2019 |
Mount for access point
Abstract
A mount for attaching an access point (AP) device to a surface
is described. The mount includes a housing, a tension member for
securing the AP within a compartment of the housing, a retention
device for securing the tension member to or about the housing with
adjustable tension, and attachment means for securing the mount to
or in the ceiling or wall. The tension member can be a cable and
the retention device can be a cable retention device. The cable can
include first and second ends attached to first and second ends of
a spring that maintains tension on the cable even if the cable
begins to relax over time while securing the AP within the
compartment. The mount can also include a cover for concealing the
AP within the housing. The cover, the housing, or both can include
magnets for securing the cover to the housing.
Inventors: |
Jensen; Bjorn (Miami, FL) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Jensen; Bjorn |
Miami |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
61560790 |
Appl.
No.: |
15/705,066 |
Filed: |
September 14, 2017 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20180076600 A1 |
Mar 15, 2018 |
|
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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62394498 |
Sep 14, 2016 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02G
3/081 (20130101); H02G 3/123 (20130101); H02B
1/40 (20130101); H05K 5/0204 (20130101); H02B
1/38 (20130101); H05K 5/00 (20130101); H02G
3/10 (20130101); H05K 5/0004 (20130101); H02G
3/12 (20130101); H05K 5/02 (20130101); H02G
3/20 (20130101); H01L 23/10 (20130101); H05K
5/0052 (20130101); H02G 3/086 (20130101); H02G
3/08 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01J
5/00 (20060101); H05K 5/02 (20060101); H02B
1/40 (20060101); H02G 3/08 (20060101); H02G
3/10 (20060101); H02G 3/12 (20060101); H01L
23/10 (20060101); H05K 5/00 (20060101); H01R
13/46 (20060101); H01R 13/502 (20060101); H02G
3/20 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;174/50,50.5,50.51,520,535,559,560,562,58 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tran; Binh B
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Johnson & Martin, P.A. Johnson;
James David
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a nonprovisional application of and claims
priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.
62/394,498 filed on Sep. 14, 2016. The foregoing applications are
incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A mount for attaching a wireless access point (AP) device to a
surface, the mount comprising: a housing comprising a bottom wall
and at least one side wall defining a compartment; a tension member
for securing the AP device within the compartment of the housing,
wherein the tension member comprises a cable; a retention device
for securing the tension member to or about the housing with
adjustable tension, wherein the retention device comprises a cable
retention device; and attachment means for securing the mount to
the ceiling; wherein the bottom wall of the housing comprises at
least one aperture through which the cable is insertable to retain
the AP device in position within the compartment of the
housing.
2. The mount of claim 1, wherein the tension member comprises one
or more cables, bands, straps, other suitable tension members, or
combinations of two or more of the foregoing.
3. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a securement apparatus
for securing the tension member to the housing.
4. The mount of claim 3, wherein the securement apparatus comprises
a spring to maintain tension on the tension member; wherein the
spring comprises a first end and a second end and is located
adjacent to the top surface of the housing; and wherein a first end
of the cable is attached to the first end of the spring and a
second end of the cable is attached to the second end of the
spring.
5. The mount of claim 4, wherein the bottom wall of the housing
comprises a first aperture, a second aperture, a third aperture,
and a fourth aperture; wherein the second end of the cable is
inserted through a top surface of the housing through the first
aperture and into the compartment so that the second end of the
cable runs generally horizontally across the bottom wall in a first
direction to the second aperture located on a second side of the
compartment that is opposite to a first side of the compartment on
which the first aperture is located; wherein the second end of the
cable passes through the second aperture and out of the compartment
to emerge from the second aperture at the top surface of the
housing; wherein the second end of the cable is engaged by the
cable retention device at the top surface of the housing so that
the cable may be tightened or loosened as desired for installation,
positional adjustment, and removal of the AP device within the
compartment; wherein the second end of the cable passes through the
third aperture at the top surface back into the compartment so that
the cable runs generally horizontally across the bottom wall in a
second direction to the fourth aperture located on a fourth side of
the compartment that is opposite to a third side of the compartment
on which the third aperture is located; and wherein the second end
of the cable is insertable through the fourth aperture where it
exits the compartment and emerges at the top surface of the housing
to connect to the second end of the spring.
6. The mount of claim 1, wherein the cable retention device
comprises a cable winding device that comprises a knob for winding
and unwinding the cable to create more or less tension for
adjustably positioning the AP device between the cable and the
bottom wall of the housing and for releasing and removing the AP
device from the compartment of the housing by lessening the tension
of the cable.
7. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a cover for attaching
over an opening of the housing and for concealing the AP device
within the housing.
8. The mount of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises one or more
magnets on or near a lip of the housing for holding in place the
cover when the cover is constructed from a ferromagnetic
material.
9. The mount of claim 1, wherein the cover is not constructed from
a ferromagnetic material, and the cover comprises one or more
ferromagnetic pieces on or near an interior surface of the cover
for holding the cover in place.
10. The mount of claim 1, wherein the housing is constructed from a
ferromagnetic metal and further comprises one or more magnets on or
near an interior surface of the cover for holding the cover in
place.
11. The mount of claim 1, wherein the housing is not constructed
from a ferromagnetic metal, and the housing comprises one or more
magnets on or near an interior surface of the cover and one or more
ferromagnetic pieces for holding the cover in place.
12. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a spacer placed
between a bottom surface of the AP device and the bottom wall
inside the compartment to raise the AP device within the
compartment.
13. The mount of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises
one or more clamps, swing clamps, clips, hooks, screws, nails, nuts
and bolts, other suitable attachment means, or combinations of two
or more of the foregoing.
14. The mount of claim 1, wherein the surface comprises a ceiling
or a wall.
15. The mount of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a lip that
is flush or substantially flush against the surface when the mount
is installed.
16. A method for securing a wireless access point (AP) device to a
surface, the method comprising the steps of: (a) cutting an
aperture into a surface on which an AP device is to be installed;
(b) installing a mount over the aperture on the surface using
attachment means for securing the mount to the surface, the mount
comprising: a housing comprising a bottom wall and at least one
side wall defining a compartment; a tension member for securing the
AP device within the compartment of the housing, wherein the
tension member comprises a cable; a retention device for securing
the tension member to or about the housing with adjustable tension,
wherein the retention device comprises a cable retention device;
and the attachment means for securing the mount to the surface;
wherein the bottom wall of the housing comprises at least one
aperture through which the cable is insertable to retain the AP
device in position within the compartment of the housing; (c)
securing the AP device within the compartment using the tension
member and the retention device.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of: (d)
placing a cover over the compartment of the housing to conceal the
compartment and the AP device secured within the compartment.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the surface comprises a ceiling
or a wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a mount for attaching a device to a
surface. More particularly, the invention relates to a mount for
attaching a wireless access point device to a ceiling or wall.
BACKGROUND
An access point ("AP") is a networking hardware device for
transmitting and receiving wireless signals to and from one or more
wireless devices and a wired network, e.g., the Internet or a local
area network. APs are often included as components of routers and
provide wireless signals such as Wi-Fi used to connect wireless
devices to a wired network. These hardware devices ideally are
located in a position within a room or area space in such a way
that signals transmitted to and from the AP are not blocked,
interrupted, or otherwise attenuated. Walls, heavy furniture, and
other objects may weaken, disrupt, or block such signals.
Therefore, positioning of the AP in a central location within a
room or other area is desirable; however, such locations leave the
AP visible, which may be undesirable for aesthetic purposes.
Alternatively, the AP may be concealed inside a closet, for
example, a media closet, or within a cabinet; however, for the
aforementioned reasons related to signal attenuation caused by
transmission through walls or furniture, such positioning may also
be undesirable.
The AP may also be attached to a wall or ceiling of a room or other
area to provide uninterrupted coverage of the room or other area
for purposes of transmitting and receiving signals between wireless
devices and the wired network. Again, however, such positioning may
be undesirable for aesthetic reasons because the AP will remain
visible when installed on a wall or ceiling.
What is needed is a mount for installing an AP in a concealed
manner in a ceiling or wall while maximizing signal strength within
a room or other area by avoiding installation behind walls and
objects that can block or impede signal access in certain areas or
throughout an entire room or other area. What is also needed is a
mount that enables quick and easy access to and removal of the AP
in the event that a new AP must be installed. A further need exists
for a universal mount, which may be used to secure and conceal in
or to a ceiling or wall, APs in the many shapes and sizes created
by manufacturers.
SUMMARY
The invention relates to a mount for attaching an access point
device ("AP"), also referred to herein as a wireless access point
device or AP device, to or in a ceiling or wall. The mount includes
a housing, a tension member (e.g., a cable, band, or strap) for
securing the AP within a compartment of the housing, a retention
device for securing the tension member to or about the housing with
sufficient but adjustable tension, and attachment means for
securing the mount to or in the ceiling or wall. In exemplary
embodiments, the tension member can be a cable and the retention
device can be a cable retention device. The cable can include first
and second ends attached to first and second ends of a spring that
maintains an appropriate tension on the cable even if the cable
begins to relax over time while securing the AP within the
compartment. The housing can include a utility aperture to permit
an Ethernet cable, USB cable, telephone line, coaxial cable, power
cord, or other data or power connection to be inserted therethrough
to be attached to the AP so as to supply power and a communicative
connection to a wired network. The mount can also include a cover
for concealing the AP within the housing. The cover can be a solid
plate or a screen or mesh that is similar in appearance to the
screens and meshes used with in-ceiling-mounted and in-wall-mounted
audio speakers so as to be aesthetically acceptable within a room
of a home or other room or area. Both the cover and housing can be
painted to match the decor of the room or area. The mount may also
include one or more spacers or other means can be used to offset
the AP closer to the room interior or space, thereby minimizing
signal attenuation caused by surrounding walls or objects.
The mount described herein provides an advantage by allowing
installation of an AP in a concealed manner in a ceiling or wall
while maximizing signal strength within a room or other area by
avoiding installation behind walls and objects that can block or
impede signal access in certain areas or throughout an entire room
or other area.
The mount described herein also provides an advantage by enabling
quick and easy access to and removal of the AP in the event that
maintenance is required or a new AP must be installed.
The mount described herein provides a further advantage by allowing
for the AP to be mounted generally flush to and in a ceiling or
wall so that both the mount and AP installed within it are
concealed behind a cover that is constructed to have an appearance
that is aesthetically acceptable and that can be similar or
identical to an in-ceiling-mounted or in-wall-mounted audio
speaker, which users are accustomed to seeing and which are not
generally considered aesthetically objectionable or displeasing
when visible.
The mount described herein provides yet another advantage in that
its usage allows in-ceiling installation of the AP to maximize
signal coverage and strength throughout a room or area while
avoiding installation at lower locations around the peripheral
walls of a room or other area or within a closet, media closet, or
media cabinet that might attenuate the signals being transmitted to
and from the AP. Equivalent signal coverage of the room or other
area can potentially be provided with fewer APs.
Accordingly, the invention features a mount for attaching a
wireless access point (AP) device to a surface. The mount includes
a housing having a bottom wall and at least one side wall defining
a compartment, a tension member for securing the AP device within
the compartment of the housing; a retention device for securing the
tension member to or about the housing with adjustable tension, and
attachment means for securing the mount to the ceiling.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the tension member
including one or more cables, bands, straps, other suitable tension
members, or combinations of two or more of the foregoing.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the tension member
being a cable and the retention device being a cable retention
device.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the bottom wall of the
housing including at least one aperture through which the cable is
insertable to retain the AP device in position within the
compartment of the housing.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the mount further
including a securement apparatus for securing the tension member to
the housing.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the securement
apparatus including a spring to maintain tension on the tension
member and the tension member being a cable. The spring includes a
first end and a second end and is located adjacent to the top
surface of the housing. A first end of the cable is attached to a
first end of the spring and a second end of the cable is attached
to the second end of the spring.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the cable retention
device including a cable winding device that has a knob for winding
and unwinding the cable to create more or less tension for
adjustably positioning the AP device between the cable and the
bottom wall of the housing and for releasing and removing the AP
device from the compartment of the housing by lessening the tension
of the cable.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the bottom wall of the
housing including a first aperture, a second aperture, a third
aperture, and a fourth aperture. The second end of the cable is
inserted through a top surface of the housing through the first
aperture and into the compartment so that the second end of the
cable runs generally horizontally across the bottom wall in a first
direction to the second aperture located on a second side of the
compartment that is opposite to a first side of the compartment on
which the first aperture is located. The second end of the cable
passes through the second aperture and out of the compartment to
emerge from the second aperture at the top surface of the housing.
The second end of the cable is engaged by the cable retention
device at the top surface of the housing so that the cable may be
tightened or loosened as desired for installation, positional
adjustment, and removal of the AP device within the compartment.
The second end of the cable passes through the third aperture at
the top surface back into the compartment so that the cable runs
generally horizontally across the bottom wall in a second direction
to the fourth aperture located on a fourth side of the compartment
that is opposite to a third side of the compartment on which the
third aperture is located. The second end of the cable is
insertable through the fourth aperture where it exits the
compartment and emerges at the top surface of the housing to
connect to the second end of the spring.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the mount further
including a cover for attaching over an opening of the housing and
for concealing the AP device within the housing.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the housing including
one or more magnets on or near a lip of the housing for holding in
place the cover when the cover is constructed from a ferromagnetic
material.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the cover being
constructed from a material other than a ferromagnetic material.
The cover can include one or more ferromagnetic pieces on or near
an interior surface of the cover for holding the cover in
place.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the housing being
constructed from a ferromagnetic metal and further including one or
more magnets on or near an interior surface of the cover for
holding the cover in place.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the housing being
constructed from a material other than a ferromagnetic metal. The
housing can include one or more magnets on or near an interior
surface of the cover and one or more ferromagnetic pieces for
holding the cover in place.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the mount further
including a spacer placed between a bottom surface of the AP device
and the bottom wall inside the compartment to raise the AP device
within the compartment.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the attachment means
including one or more clamps, swing clamps, clips, hooks, screws,
nails, nuts and bolts, other suitable attachment means, or
combinations of two or more of the foregoing.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the surface being a
ceiling or a wall.
In another aspect, the invention can feature the housing including
a lip that is flush or substantially flush against the surface when
the mount is installed.
A method of the invention can be used for securing a wireless
access point (AP) device to a surface. The method includes the
steps of: (a) cutting an aperture into a surface on which an AP
device is to be installed; and (b) installing a mount over the
aperture on the surface using attachment means for securing the
mount to the surface. The mount includes a housing having a bottom
wall and at least one side wall defining a compartment, wherein the
compartment remains accessible once the mount is installed. The
mount also includes a tension member for securing the AP device
within the compartment of the housing, a retention device for
securing the tension member to or about the housing with adjustable
tension, and the attachment means for securing the mount to the
surface. The attachment means connect the housing to one or more
edges of the surface defining the aperture. The method also
includes the step of: (c) securing the AP device within the
compartment using the tension member and the retention device.
Another method of the invention can include the step of: (d)
placing a cover over the compartment of the housing to conceal the
compartment and the AP device secured within the compartment.
Another method of the invention can feature the surface being a
ceiling or a wall.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms used herein have the
same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the
art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the
practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and
materials are described below. All publications, patent
applications, patents and other references mentioned herein are
incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the case of
conflict, the present specification, including definitions will
control.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of a mount for
installing an access point device ("AP") to a ceiling or a
wall.
FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a top of the mount of FIG. 1,
installed in a ceiling between joists.
FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mount of FIG. 2, installed
in a ceiling between joists.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a bottom of the mount of FIG.
1, installed in a ceiling between joists.
FIG. 5 is a close-up side view of a swing clamp in a tightened
configuration but without a screw, used as a component of the mount
of FIG. 1, wherein the mount is shown uninstalled.
FIG. 6 is a close-up side view of a swing clamp in a loosened
configuration but without a screw, used as a component of the mount
of FIG. 1, wherein the mount is shown uninstalled.
FIG. 7 is a close-up sectional view of a swing clamp in a tightened
configuration with a screw, used as a component of the mount of
FIG. 1, wherein the mount is shown uninstalled.
FIG. 8 is a close-up sectional view of a swing clamp in a tightened
configuration with a screw, used as a component of the mount of
FIG. 1, wherein the mount is shown installed.
FIG. 9 is an exploded front perspective view of the mount of FIG.
1.
FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the mount of FIG. 1 having
swing clamps.
FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the mount of FIG. 1, shown
with a connected AP.
FIG. 12 is a different bottom perspective view of the mount of FIG.
1 shown with a connected AP.
FIG. 13 is a closer view of the front perspective view of FIG. 2,
which does not show the mount installed.
FIG. 14 is a closer view of the rear perspective view of FIG. 3,
which does not show the mount installed.
FIG. 15 is a close-up perspective view of a cable winding device of
the mount of FIG. 1.
FIG. 16 is a close-up top plan view of the cable winding device of
FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a close-up sectional view of the cable winding device of
FIG. 15.
FIG. 18 is a front sectional view of the mount of FIG. 1.
FIG. 19 is an exploded front perspective view of the mount of FIG.
1, shown with a spacer between the AP and a housing of the
mount.
FIG. 20 is a rear sectional view of the mount of FIG. 19, shown
with the spacer installed between the AP and the housing.
FIG. 21 is a close-up sectional view of a cable of the mount of
FIG. 1 connected to a spring.
FIG. 22 is a closer bottom perspective view of the AP installed
within the mount of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed drawings and description set forth herein. Embodiments of
the invention are discussed below with reference to the drawings;
however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is
for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these
limited embodiments. For example, in light of the teachings of the
present invention, those skilled in the art will recognize a
multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon
the needs of the particular application, to implement the
functionality of any given detail described herein beyond the
particular implementation choices in the following embodiments
described and shown. That is, numerous modifications and variations
of the invention may exist that are too numerous to be listed but
that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular
words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as
feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative
embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually
exclusive.
The present invention should not be limited to the particular
methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses,
and applications, described herein, as these may vary. The
terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope
of the present invention. As used herein and in the appended
claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural
reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more
elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in
the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to "a step" or
"a means" may be a reference to one or more steps or means and may
include sub-steps and subservient means.
All conjunctions used herein are to be understood in the most
inclusive sense possible. Thus, a group of items linked with the
conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and
every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather
should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should
not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but
rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated
otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to
refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that
may be construed to express approximation should be so understood
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary
meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be
limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so
defined herein.
Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof,
especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly
stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting.
As examples of the foregoing, the term "including" should be read
to mean "including, without limitation," "including but not limited
to," or the like; the term "having" should be interpreted as
"having at least"; the term "includes" should be interpreted as
"includes but is not limited to"; the term "example" is used to
provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an
exhaustive or limiting list thereof: and use of terms like
"preferably," "preferred," "desired," "desirable," or "exemplary"
and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying
that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to
the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely
intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may
or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the
invention.
Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the appended claims may contain usage of the
introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce
claim recitations; however, the use of such phrases should not be
construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by
the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim
containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments
containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim
includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one"
and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and "an"
should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or
more"): the same holds true for the use of definite articles used
to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should
typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g.,
the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers,
typically means at least two recitations, or two or more
recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C" is used, in general,
such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in
the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at
least one of A. B, and C" would include but not be limited to
systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone. A and B together, A
and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together,
etc.).
All numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients,
reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to
be understood as being modified in all instances by the term
"about" unless expressly stated otherwise. Accordingly, unless
indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth
herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired
properties sought to be obtained.
As shown in FIGS. 1-22, the invention provides a mount 10 for an
access point ("AP") 12 that can be installed on a ceiling 100 or a
wall 100. Without limiting the invention, although the mount 10 can
be installed on a ceiling or wall 100 of any type of structure
(e.g., a house, an office, a yacht, or any building or structure
having a ceiling or a wall), for purposes of describing the
invention, an embodiment installed on a ceiling will be described
hereafter with the understanding that the mount 10 also can be
installed on a wall 100 of any structure. The mount 10 is
installable in the ceiling 100 so as to be flush or substantially
flush with the exterior surface (i.e., the surface facing into the
room) of the ceiling. In other embodiments, the mount 10 may
protrude or slightly protrude from the ceiling's exterior
surface.
The AP 12 can be any networking hardware device that sends and
receives wireless signals from wireless devices to connect them to
a wired network. The AP 12 can be constructed in any shape but is
typically rectangular or circular in horizontal cross-sectional
shape. The AP 12 can receive power over Ethernet, from a USB cable,
from an electrical cord, or from connection to a separate or
integrated battery.
The mount 10 includes a housing 14, a tension member 16 (e.g., a
cable, band, or strap), a retention device 18, and attachment means
20 for securing the mount 10 to the ceiling. Optionally, the mount
10 may also include a cover 22 for concealing the AP 12 within the
housing 14.
For purposes of convenience and without limiting the breadth of the
disclosure contained herein, a cable will be referred to hereafter
as the tension member 16, with the understanding that the tension
member 16 may be one or more cables, bands, straps, or other
suitable tension members in various embodiments of the mount 10.
Similarly, because the cable 16 will be referred to hereafter as an
exemplary tension member, for purposes of convenience and without
limiting the breadth of the disclosure contained herein, a cable
retention device 18 will be referred to hereafter as an exemplary
retention device 18 with the understanding that the retention
device 18 may be one or more other suitable types of retention
devices capable of adjusting tension on other types of tension
members (e.g., cables, bands, straps, or a combination of the
foregoing) in various embodiments of the mount 10. It is to be
understood that where the cable 16 and cable retention device 18
are referred to hereafter, other tension members as described above
and other retention devices could be used in place thereof.
The mount's housing 14 is shaped and sized for receiving an AP 12
that is installed within a compartment 14a of the housing. In
exemplary embodiments, the housing 14 may be generally rectangular
in horizontal cross-section. In other embodiments, the housing 14
can be circular in horizontal cross-section. In shape, APs 12 from
most manufacturers will generally be either rectangular or circular
in horizontal cross-section. In usage, an AP 12 can be installed
within a mount 10 having a similar or identical cross-sectional
shape. e.g., a rectangular AP can be installed within a mount
having a housing that is also rectangular in cross-section. In
another example, a circular AP 12 can be installed within a mount
10 having a housing that is also circular in cross-section. In
other embodiments, an AP 12 that is circular in cross-sectional
shape may be installed within a mount 10 having a housing that is
rectangular in cross-sectional shape, or vice versa.
To attach the mount 10 to the ceiling 100, the housing 14 includes
one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or more) attachment
means 20 that can be clamps, clips, hooks, screws, nails, nuts and
bolts, or other suitable attachment means 20 or combinations of two
or more of the foregoing that are used to secure the housing 14 to
the ceiling 100. In one exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings,
the housing 14 may include four swing clamps 20 that may be used to
connect the housing 14 to the ceiling 100. The attachment means 20
may be attached to side walls 14b of the housing 14 or to the lip
14c of the housing. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, swing
clamps 20 are used as the attachment means 20 and the swing clamps
are installed in recesses 14d formed in outer surfaces 14e of the
side walls 14b of the housing 14.
In other embodiments, the mount 10 may be attached to the ceiling
100 via epoxy or other adhesive.
In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 10 can be constructed in
the shape of a tray having an open compartment 14a. The tray can
have a lip 14c that surrounds or partially surrounds an opening at
a top of the housing's compartment 14a. A bottom of the housing 14
can include a bottom wall 14f surrounded by side walls 14b. For
example, in an embodiment having a housing 14 that is rectangularly
shaped in cross-section, the bottom wall 14f can be surrounded by
four attached side walls 14b. In an embodiment having a housing 14
that is circularly shaped in cross-section, the bottom wall 14f can
be surrounded by a single circular or annular side wall 14b. In
other embodiments, depending on the shape of the bottom wall 14f or
on design considerations, the bottom wall 14f may have 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, or more attached side walls 14b. In other embodiments,
the side walls 14b may be attached to the bottom wall 14f so as to
form an oval, elliptical, oblong, triangular, quadrilateral,
polygonal, or irregular shapes in cross-section. In such
embodiments, the bottom wall 14f and the compartment 14a and
opening may have a cross-sectional shape that matches that of the
arrangement of the side walls 14b, or the bottom wall 14f may be
larger than and extend beyond the boundary formed by the side walls
14b.
The housing 14 can be constructed in any size that is necessary to
receive the AP 12 that is selected for installation within the
compartment 14a of the housing. The housing 14 can be constructed
from metal, plastic, wood, foam, or any other suitable
material.
The housing 14 can include one or more utility apertures passing
through one or more of its side walls 14b or through the bottom
wall 14f to permit an Ethernet cable, USB cable, telephone line,
coaxial cable, or power cord to be inserted therethrough to be
connected to the AP 12 so as to supply power and a communicative
connection to a wired network.
The bottom wall 14f of the housing 14 can include apertures 14g
through which the cable 16 can be inserted to retain the AP 12 in
position within the compartment 14a of the housing 14. The housing
14 can include a securement apparatus 24 for securing the cable 16
to the housing 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the cable 16 is
constructed from steel although cables constructed from other
materials may also be used, and the securement apparatus 24 can be
a spring (e.g., a steel spring). A first end of the cable 16 is
attached to a spring 24 that is located adjacent to the top surface
of the housing 14. The spring 24 can be a steel spring having a
first end and a second end. The cable 16 can be looped through the
apertures 14g of the housing 14 so that the first end of the cable
16 attaches to the first end of the spring 24 and the second end of
the cable 16 attaches to the second end of the spring 24, or vice
versa. The spring 24 can be installed within a separate casing
attached or adjacent to the top surface of the bottom wall 14f to
conceal and protect it, or the spring 24 may be exposed. The spring
24 maintains tension in the cable 16 to keep the cable
appropriately taut, even as the cable itself may relax over time,
so as to retain the AP 12 in a fixed position inside the
compartment 14a of the housing 14. The spring 24 will also maintain
tension if the AP 12 is moved to another position while the cables
16 are taut, such as when moving the AP from a position that is
off-center to center.
A second end of the cable 16 is attached to a cable retention
device 18. The cable retention device 18 can be a cable winding
device 18 that includes a knob for winding and unwinding the cable
16 to create more or less tension as needed to hold the AP 12 in
position between the cable 16 and the bottom wall 14f of the
housing 12 (or to release and remove the AP by lessening the
tension of the cable) as shown in the drawings. In other
embodiments, the cable retention device 18 can be a ratcheting or
holding mechanism to create more or less tension in the cable 16 to
hold and release the AP 12 in and from the compartment 14a of the
housing 14 in a controlled manner. In the described embodiment,
both the winding and ratcheting can be performed with one hand so
as to allow simultaneous handling of the AP by the user's other
hand.
A multiplicity of guides or apertures may be integrated into the
housing or assembled as separate components in order to control the
path of the retention member 16. In one embodiment, the housing 14
contains four apertures 14g: a first aperture, a second aperture, a
third aperture, and a fourth aperture. In an exemplary embodiment
shown in FIGS. 10-12, the bottom wall 14f of the housing 14 can
include four apertures 14g: a first aperture, a second aperture, a
third aperture, and a fourth aperture. In one embodiment, the first
end of the cable 16 can be connected to the first end of the spring
24. The second end of the cable 16 can be inserted through a top
surface of the housing 14 through the first aperture and into the
compartment 14a where it runs generally horizontally across the
bottom wall 14f in a first direction to the second aperture located
on a side of the compartment that is opposite to the side of the
compartment on which the first aperture is located. The second end
of the cable 16 can pass through the second aperture and out of the
compartment 14a to emerge from the second aperture at the top
surface of the housing 14. There, the cable 16 can be looped around
the cable winding device 18 in an exemplary embodiment (or
otherwise engaged by a cable retention device in other embodiments)
so that the cable 16 may be tightened or loosened as desired for
installation and removal of the AP 12 or for adjustment of the
position of the AP within the compartment 14a. The second end of
the cable 16 then passes through the third aperture at the top
surface back into the compartment 14a. The cable 16 then runs
generally horizontally across the bottom wall 14f in a second
direction to the fourth aperture located on a side of the
compartment 14a that is opposite to the side of the compartment on
which the third aperture is located. The second direction is
opposite to the first direction. The length of the cable 16 running
in the first direction from the first aperture to the second
aperture forms a first length of cable that runs generally
horizontally through the compartment 14a. The length of the cable
16 running in the second direction from the third aperture to the
fourth aperture forms a second length of cable that runs generally
horizontally through the compartment 14a and generally parallel to
the first length of cable, as shown in FIG. 22. The second end of
the cable 16 can be inserted through the fourth aperture where it
exits the compartment 14a and emerges at the top surface of the
housing 14 and connects to the second end of the spring 24.
In another embodiment, a first end of the cable 16 can be attached
to a connection point that is fixed in position, for example, at
the top surface of the housing or on or adjacent to an exterior or
interior surface of a side wall of the housing, or on the bottom
surface of the bottom wall of the housing inside the compartment.
The connection point can be an anchor, a bar, a bolt, a rivet, or
other connection apparatus to which the first end of the cable is
tied or otherwise connected. In another embodiment, the two
horizontal lengths of cable 16 can be combined into a single
horizontal length of cable connected to the cable retention device
and run through the apertures but not connected to a spring.
When the selected AP 12 is lower in profile (i.e., in height) than
the depth of the compartment 14a of the housing 14, a spacer 26 may
be placed between a bottom surface of the AP 12 and the bottom wall
14f inside the compartment 14a to raise the AP within the
compartment so that a top surface of the AP is or is substantially
coplanar with top edges of the side walls 14b of the housing 14.
The spacer 26 may be constructed in any height that is necessary or
desirable for raising the AP 12 away from the bottom wall 14f
within the compartment 14a. The spacer 26 may be constructed from
metal, plastic, foam, or any other suitable material.
The mount 10 can also include the aforementioned cover 22 for
concealing the AP 12 within the compartment 14a of the housing 14.
The cover 22 can be a screen or mesh similar in appearance to the
screens and meshes used as components of in-ceiling-mounted and
in-wall-mounted audio speakers so as to be aesthetically acceptable
within a room of a home or other room or area. The cover 22 can be
constructed and sized to fit within the compartment 14a so as to be
flush with the lip 14c of the housing 14 when installed or to be
slightly recessed into the compartment in relation to the lip of
the housing when installed. In another embodiment, the cover 22 can
be constructed and sized to partially overlap and cover a portion
of the lip 14c of the housing 14 when installed. In still another
embodiment, the cover 22 can be constructed and sized to entirely
cover and conceal the housing 14, including its lip 14c, when
installed.
Because the bottom of the housing 14 and compartment 14a face
downward into the room, the cover 22 may use magnets, clips, or any
other suitable attachment means to removably connect the cover to
the housing. For example, in one embodiment, the housing 14 may
include one or more magnets on or near its lip 14c for attracting
and holding in place the cover 22 when the cover is constructed
from a ferromagnetic material. In another embodiment in which the
cover 22 is not constructed from a ferromagnetic material, the
cover may include one or more ferromagnetic pieces on or near an
interior surface of the cover for attracting and holding the cover
in place. In still another embodiment, the housing 14 can be
constructed from a ferromagnetic metal and the magnets may be
included on or near an interior surface of the cover 22. In yet
another embodiment in which the housing 14 is not constructed from
a ferromagnetic metal, the magnets may be included on or near an
interior surface of the cover 22 and the housing may include one or
more ferromagnetic pieces (for example, near its corners where
adjacent side walls 14b are adjoined or on its lip 14c) for
attracting and holding the cover in place. In the exemplary
embodiments described above, the mount 10 may include 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 7, 8, or more magnets or ferromagnetic pieces.
The mount 10 can be installed flush or substantially flush with the
ceiling 100 in preferred embodiments. In other embodiments, the
mount 10 may protrude or slightly protrude from the room-facing
surface of the ceiling 100. A hole can be cut into the ceiling 100
(e.g., through the drywall) that approximately corresponds to the
dimensions of the outer surface of the walls 14b of the housing 14.
Installation in the center of the ceiling 100 is generally
preferred although the mount 10 may be installed anywhere on the
ceiling of the room or other area. The connection means 20 (e.g.,
swing clamps) can be used to connect the housing 14 to the edges of
the ceiling 100 surrounding the hole. The lip 14c of the housing 14
can rest flush or substantially flush against the room-facing
(i.e., exterior) surface of the ceiling 100. The compartment 14a of
the housing 14, which faces downward into the room after
installation of the housing, remains accessible for installation,
service, and removal of the AP 12, which can be secured within the
compartment 14a using the cable 16 and cable retention device 18
according to methods described herein above. When the AP 12 is
securely installed within the compartment 14a in a desired
position, the cover 22 can be placed over the compartment of the
housing 14 to conceal the compartment and the AP within it. In one
embodiment, the cover 22 may be large enough to also cover and
conceal the lip 14c of the housing 14 so that no part of the mount
10 or AP 12 except the cover is visible to persons looking at the
mount.
In exemplary embodiments, one side (e.g., a bottom side) of the AP
12 contacts and rests against the bottom wall 14f of the housing 14
when the AP is installed within the compartment 14a using the cable
16 and cable retention device 18. However, in other embodiments in
which a low profile AP 12 is installed that is shorter in height
than the depth of the compartment 14a, a spacer 26 may be placed
between the AP and the bottom wall 14f inside the compartment so
that one side of the spacer contacts the bottom wall while the
other side of the spacer contacts the bottom side of the AP once
the AP is secured within the compartment using the cable 16 and
cable retention device 18. In still other embodiments, the AP 12
may be suspended by the cable 16, the first and second horizontal
lengths of cable allowing the AP to be suspended inside the
compartment 14a rather than being secured against and in contact
with the bottom wall 14f of the housing 14. This latter embodiment
is not preferred, however, since it would produce a less secure
installation of the AP within the compartment.
If the mount 10 is to be installed on or in a wall 100,
installation high on the wall, rather than in the middle or lower
portions of the wall, is preferred so as to ensure maximum
unimpeded signal strength throughout as much of the room or other
area as possible.
Other Embodiments
It is to be understood that while the invention has been described
in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing
description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of
the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *